USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III > Part 175
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139 | Part 140 | Part 141 | Part 142 | Part 143 | Part 144 | Part 145 | Part 146 | Part 147 | Part 148 | Part 149 | Part 150 | Part 151 | Part 152 | Part 153 | Part 154 | Part 155 | Part 156 | Part 157 | Part 158 | Part 159 | Part 160 | Part 161 | Part 162 | Part 163 | Part 164 | Part 165 | Part 166 | Part 167 | Part 168 | Part 169 | Part 170 | Part 171 | Part 172 | Part 173 | Part 174 | Part 175 | Part 176 | Part 177 | Part 178 | Part 179 | Part 180 | Part 181 | Part 182 | Part 183 | Part 184 | Part 185 | Part 186 | Part 187 | Part 188 | Part 189 | Part 190 | Part 191 | Part 192 | Part 193 | Part 194 | Part 195 | Part 196 | Part 197 | Part 198 | Part 199 | Part 200 | Part 201 | Part 202 | Part 203 | Part 204 | Part 205 | Part 206 | Part 207
But the very events from which so much was feared were directly the means of great prosperity to this young industry, for almost immediately a demand for watches for soldiers sprang up, which lasted through- out the war.
This sudden and unlooked-for demand for watches was, fortunately, not an exacting one, save for num- ber. Had the demand been for watches of such a de- gree of excellence as is now required, for accuracy and finish, it could not have been met; for the simple reason that few trained and experienced workmen were then available. But, using such facilities as were obtainable, in the way of workmen, machines and tools, vigorous efforts were put forth to supply the welcome demand.
In common with everything else at that period, the prices of all watches were high-perhaps relatively higher than at any other time in the history of this company. So that it is not a matter of surprise that the profits of the business at that time were very large indeed. As a result of that season of prosperity a large surplus was accumulated, and in 1865 the capi- tal was increased to $750,000, the stock being dis- tributed among the stockholders in the form of a spe- cial dividend.
In 1862 the company bought out the plant and property of the Nashua Watch Company; and, as they were at once incorporated with the Waltham works, it may be interesting to give a brief sketch of the history of the rise and fall of that establishment.
About 1857 or 1858 Mr. B. D. Bingham, of Nashua, N. H., who had been a maker of clocks and regulators, entered the employ of the Waltham Company, that he might learn the various processes by which watches were being made by machinery.
At that time Mr. Stratton was assistant superiu- tendent of the factory. He had invented an im- proved main-spring harrel and obtained a patent upon it, and also a hair-spring stud, both of which had been adopted by the company.
Both Mr. Stratton and Mr. Bingham were quite
743
WALTHAM.
ambitious, and, in the belief that the problems of snc- cessful watch-making had been practically solved, they began to lay plans for the establishment of a similar enterprise.
In the confidence that capitalists could be induced to invest in the undertaking, these two men visited Nashua, N. FI., in 1859, and did succeed in the for- mation of a company, with a capital of $100,000. Re- turning to Waltham, they enlisted the services of several of the best men employed by the old company, among whom were Mr. Moseley, Mr. Vanderwoerd and some others.
A building was secured in Nashua, and fitted up so as to adapt it to the requirements of the work to be done. Mr. Stratton's desire was to make a watch of a higher grade than the Waltham Company had at that time undertaken, and with that purpose, work was at once commenced on the required machinery and tools. Mr. Moseley served as the master me- chanic, and, in connection with Mr. Vanderwoerd, constructed a number of excellent machines.
Bnt here the old story was quickly repeated, for in 1862 the money had all vanished; and, although about a thousand watches had been well-advanced to- ward completion, the stockholders declined to put in any additional money, and matters of necessity came to a standstill ..
There being no hope of further money, the only thing remaining was to save as much as possible from the wreck-for such the enterprise begun with so much confidence had then become. It is not a mat- ter of surprise that, with the knowledge of two fail- nres in this industry, it was a difficult matter to find parties ready to invest in the purchase of this property. But Mr. Stratton finally succeeded in effecting a sale to the American Watch Company, the price paid being about one-half the original cost of the plant. The Waltham Company paid $53,000 for the entire property, which, in addition to the machinery, in- cluded the watches then approaching completion, which were made in both what are known as sixteen and twenty size.
The Nashua factory was kept in operation while the addition of buildings needful for accommodating its machinery was being made to the Waltham fac- tory, Mr. Charles W. Fogg being sent from Waltham to superintend the work, until the fall of 1862, when the property was removed to Waltham.
For several years these tools were kept by them- selves, a new department being created, and put under the general charge of Mr. Fogg, with Mr. Vander- woerd in charge of the mechanical part of the work.
Mr. Fogg retained his position till about I877, when he retired from active life. The "Nashua Depart- ment" was maintained till July, 1878, when a portion of the work was consolidated with similar work of the original factory; and in 1884 the other parts of the work were distributed among the several depart- ments where they appropriately belonged.
The Nashua watches were of the form of construc- tion designated as "three-quarter plate," and, by vir- tue of their form, and also the excellence of their workmanship, as made at Waltham, took the highest rank among American watches, but were not for many years a source of direct profit to the company.
Having very briefly reviewed the history of the Nashna Watch Factory, and seen how in that instance, as in the case of the original venture of Mr. Dennison, the fondest and most confident anticipa- tions of success were doomed to disappointment, it may be appropriate to make mention of the peculiar fascination which has seemed to be connected with the enterprise of watch-making in America.
When, on the sale of the property of the bankrupt Boston Watch Company to Mr. Robbins, in 1857, Mr. Howard retired, he took with him a confident as- surance that watch-making could be made profitable, and, attempting to demonstrate the fact, he again embarked in the business at the original place in Roxbury, where the business has since that time been conducted, but with what measure of financial success it is not our province to indicate.
Not disheartened nor intimidated by the failure of the Nashna enterprise, several of the prominent men of the Waltham factory (including some who were engaged in the Nashua scheme), believing that the rapidly-growing part of the country in the West would prove favorable for the establishment of a fac- tory patterned after the one at Waltham, visited Chicago, and so succeeded in interesting capitalists that the building of the Elgin, Iil., factory resulted.
The fact that the principal owners of the Elgin fac- tory were men of wealth, and thus able to replenish their frequently exhausted treasury, alone prevented the repetition there of the unfortunate experiences of the earlier Waltham and Nashua factories. But notwithstanding the fact that ten years passed before the Elgin Company began to realize anything in the way of dividends, and with the struggles and disasters of the New England companies well known, there has ever seemed to be a fascination in the idea of or- ganizing watch factories which has caused to be brought into existence a multitude of snch establish- ments, to the financial rnin of many a too confident investor, and the heavy losses of very many more.
From this digression we now return to the consid- eration of the fortunes of the American Watch Company.
As has already been said, the original factory buildings were constructed of "conerete;" but when future enlargements took place, another form of con- struction was adopted. Following the building of the additions made needtul by the absorption of the Nashua concern, several new wings were added, the years of 1864 and 1865 being particularly busy ones in this direction.
A short two-story wing had already been built in front, the lower story being devoted to the uses of the
744
HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
gilding department, and the upper one to the work of fitting the " trains." Further additions were made by constructing other wings parellel with the street, the original two-story flat roof corridor building giv- ing place to one of brick, with an additional story, which was used as a finishing-room. A second cor- ridor building was built, also of brick. This was lo- cated about a hundred feet south of the first, and the two connected by a two-story workshop; another similar wing extended about eighty feet to the south of this second corridor, and in it was established a portion of the Nashua machinery. In addition to these, the machine-shop wing was extended toward the river, and two wings parallel with the front, but between it and the river, were built. Besides these, a second engine-house and boiler-house were built and equipped. With the exception of the two corri- dor buildings, and the engine and boiler-houses, all of these buildings were constructed with wooden frames filled in solid with brick.
This period of extensive building seems to mark an epoch in the history of the enterprise, which may perhaps be designated as the fourth stage. While the business was located at Roxbury it may be said to have been in the ideal stage. And after removal to Waltham, up to the year 1857, came the period of experiment and failure. Following that, and lasting till 1861, came a period of suspense, succeeded by the four years which we have just considered, and which may properly be regarded as a period of achieve- ment and firm establishment.
The fifth stage, commencing about 1866 and reach- ing to the present time, has been one of continued en- largement, of which more will be said hereafter. Still further additions are definitely planned, and will doubtless be completed in due time.
In conjunction with the renewal and enlargement of the factory buildings, the company was engaged in providing homes for its people.
A large number of dwellings were erected within a convenient distance of the factory. These were planned in a variety of styles, and of varying sizes, so as to accommodate the operatives with larger or smaller families.
In many cases money was advanced to employees who desired to build houses for themselves. The streets were also adorned with young shade-trees, which at this time are assuming line proportions.
The character, and consequent reputation, of the watches made by this company had been steadily gaining, and as a consequence were in demand, and found ready sale. But the attempts of foreign mak- ers to retain their market in America, and the compe- tition resulting from the multiplication of watch fac- tories, has had the effect to continually reduce the prices, and so compelling a corresponding reduction in the cost of manufacture, cither at the sacrifice of quality, reduction in wages, or in greatly increased production.
Manifestly the first of these plans could only result in eventual failure ; but even if it could be otherwise, a concern which had by the labor of years gained a high place in the estimation of the watch trade would realize the value of what had cost them so much, and endeavor by all means to retain their good reputation by adhering to their high standard of quality.
The increased sales of watches also made necesssary the corresponding increase of means for their produc- tion; and, while the tools which had been in use up to the period of which we are writing (1865) had probably never been equaled, it was by no means certain that very great improvements might not be made, both in capability and accuracy. It was na- tural that in the beginning of the enterprise the idea should obtain that accuracy of operation would be secured by delicacy of construction, and therefore the machinery of those earlier years was made very light, and with resulting sensitivenesss, which involved a corresponding delicacy of manipulation on the part of the operative, which could only be acquired by a period of education, and with results depending largely upon individual ability.
But the experience of years had demonstrated that delicacy of machinery did not insure uniformity of result; and from about this time the theory of machine-building has been materially modified in the direction of increased strength and solidity. But while obtaining a very marked improvement in strength, and consequent uniformity of operation, no radical departure was made in the principles of the machines, the increase of factory capacity being secured by the multiplication of existing machines. There were occasional exceptions however, in the direction of semi-automatic machines, serving to foreshadow what might be done when the proper time should come.
But without doubt the policy pursued in this matter was the wisest for that time. Moreover, it may be doubted if the peculiar mechanical or inventive talent required for the production of automatic machines had then been developed to any considerable extent; although there was not lacking evidence of no mean order of ability in machine construction.
The era of antomatic machine construction com- menced a few years later, and Mr. Vanderwoerd was probably more prominent in his achievements in that direction than any other individual. The mostinter- esting and valuable of his inventions was a machine for making the delicate screws which are so indis- pensable in the structure of watches. This machine is able to accomplish the work of three men, and is, moreover, so arranged that but little attention is re- quired, so that one man can easily attend to as many as six machines.
When the United States Government called for volunteer soldiers to aid in putting down the Rebellion, and all through the loyal North men were leaving home and business, and enrolling themselves in the
745
WALTHAM.
ranks of the soldiery, the managers of the watch factory were active and earnest in endeavors to raise the needed recruits. Men who were valuable to the company by reason of their skill and experience were not on that account dissuaded from offering their services to their country in its hour of peril and need; but were urged to enlist in the army, with the prom- ise of employment on their return.
Of the numbers who went to the front, some re- turned in safety, some were honorably discharged in consequence of wounds, others came home maimed, leaving perhaps some of their limbs to mingle with the soil of the sunny South ; and some gave up their lives on the field of battle.
A stranger would be impressed in observing the employees as they leave the factory, by the number of persons walking by the aid of canes, others need- ing crutches, still others having but one arm ; and it might seem that they were engaged in a business which was especially dangerous. Quite the contrary is the fact, however, for, among the tens of thousands of persons who have been employed during the ex- istence of the company, there has not a single fatality occurred, the most serious accidents resulting in the loss of one or two fingers, in almost or quite every in- stance the result of individual carelessness.
The unusual number of lame and halt who are here gathered is explained by the fact that many veterans of the war are still employed, and that the nature of the work is such that bodily infirmities, which in many other industries would prove serious obstaeles, do not prevent the performance of certain kinds of work which is essential. So, too, there are many in- dividuals who are not in the enjoyment of vigorous health, and who are yet compelled to labor, who here find work which is within their ability.
But notwithstanding the fact that so many persons in delicate health, and a larger number by no means robust, are here employed, it has been a matter of surprise to those who have investigated the sub- jeet, to find that the death rate is remarkably low.
In 1888 Mr. John Swinton spent some weeks in studying the social life of Waltham, as connected with the watch factory, and, in an article written by him, he says, "One of the facts which has surprised me most, in studying the state of things in the watch factory, is the extraordinarily low rate of mortality among the operatives. I find, by the carefully kept records of each of the departments, that it is below a half of one per cent. per annum.
"This is, of course, owing partly to the healthful- ness of the locality, partly to the absence of child labor in the factory, and partly to the excellent sani- tary conditions in which the buildings are kept at every season of the year. It is, nevertheless, proof of the wonderful measure of welfare in the lives of the 2500 workers now under review. It would not be hard to mention factories in which the death rate runs as high as three or four per cent. per annum."
But while the above statements are no doubt cor- rect, it is not to be supposed that sickness is a thing unknown.
It has always been the established policy of the company to make the most careful and generous pro- vision for the comfort and health of its operatives, yei no provision can insure against the visits of epi- demics which occasionally visit the various sections of the country (like "La Grippe," which occa- sioned a more general and serious disturbance than anything of like character within the history of the company).
To secure the advantages of mutual assistance in cases of need, the operatives in the year 1866 estab- lished the " Watch Factory Relief Association." Ar- ticle 2 of its Constitution stated that " The object of this Association shall be to aid all members whose circumstances are such as to need relief in cases of sickness or injury while in the employ of the Ameri- can Watch Company, or whose sickness or injury shall have been contracted while in the employ of said company. None but members shall receive aid except by concurrent action of the Relief Committee and the vote of the Association. Persons working as learners shall be exempt from dues the first four months of their services with the American Watch Company."
Other articles provided for choice of officers, among whom was " a Relief Committee, consisting of four gentlemen and three ladies, to whom all appli- cations for relief must be made, and whose duty it shall be to see that timely assistance is rendered to all in need."
The dues preseribed were, from the foremen, sixty cents per quarter ; from all other men, fifty cents; and from women, thirty cents.
A further provision was, that " no Superintendent or Foreman shall be eligible to any office in the As- sociation."
A feeling of independence, and a disinclination to accept charity in any form, without doubt deterred very many members from applying for aid when in sickness ; and quite possibly occasional payments to some who were not in actual nced served in time to create a demand for a change in the method of relief ; and, in 1881, the Association was re-organized on a strictly mutual basis; the assessment of dues was changed from quarterly to monthly intervals, and the amount of dues reduced to twenty-five cents, without distinction as to sex or position. The restrictions as to the holding of office were also abolished. The amount of money allowed to applicants for relief is fixed by the constitution at $4.00 per week, after the first week (for which no appropriation is allowed), and in no case is the benefit to eover a period ex- ceeding ten weeks in any one year. It is further pro- vided that, in case of death of a member, the sum of $50.00 shall be appropriated for funeral expenses.
The books of the treasurer of the Association show
746
HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
that since its organization, in 1866, it has paid 103 such claims ; and that, up to the close of the year 1889, there had been paid out a total of nearly $45,000 in yearly amounts, varying from $945 in 1866, to $5814 in 1889.
Since the re-organization of the Association, in 1881, the condition of the treasury has allowed the omission of ten regular assessments, and never in its history has a special assessment been required until 1889, that being occasioned by the prevalence of the epidemic, " La Grippe." The sympathy of the man - agement of the Watch Company with the aims and objects of this Relief Association has been manifested by its annual contribution of $200 to its funds.
The years immediately following the close of the Civil War, while constituting a period of general business activity and apparent prosperity, were not without intervals of anxiety and depression in the watch-making industry. It has, however, seemed a very remarkable thing that at times, when business in general has been languishing, and many industries have been obliged to completely suspend operations, this factory has been almost uniformly kept busy. This is the more strange because it would be expected that in times of dullness and scarcity of money, watches would naturally be a drug in the market. But with the exception of a few months in the fall aud winter of 1873-74, when financial disturbance was so nearly universal, this factory has been kept steadily at work. And it is probable that it may be truthfully said that few, if any, towns in our country suffered less during that period of business troubles, than did Waltham.
Such a measure of prosperity as was shared by this whole community was, without doubt, due almost en- tirely to the exertions and the sagacity of the watch factory management and its selling agents, and cannot but be a matter of the greatest gratification.
The steady increase in the volume of business made necessary a corresponding increase of capital. And on August 3, 1870, half a million dollars were added, -making a total of $1,250,000. But within three years even this amount was found insufficient; and on January 14, 1873, the capital was increased to $1,500,000.
portion of the new issue of stock on terms much more favorable than could be obtained by other par- ties. This opportunity was embraced by many of the operatives, and while some of them subsequently dis- posed of their shares, many others are still securing their semi-annual returns. And if they are desirous of disposing of their stock, they can do so at a large advauce.
When the National Centennial Exhibition was deter- mined upon this company entered heartily into the work of providing an exhibit which should be a fitting indi- cation of the progress which America had made in this branch of industry. Besides exhibiting a very large number of finished watches, in various grades, and in cases of silver and gold, a workshop was fitted up with a number of the most interesting automatic machines which had then been added to the equipment of the factory. These machines were kept in practical op- eration by a corps of operatives, who were in constant attendance during the entire season of the Philadel- phia exhibition.
This exhibit proved to be one of the most attrac- tive in the whole fair, and was from morning till night surrounded by a dense crowd of eager and in- terested visitors. In addition to these objects of such interest to the curious, the company entered a number of watches of various grades, to be submitted to the most searching and exacting tests, to demonstrate their accuracy as to time-keeping qualities.
It is a matter for congratulation and pardonable pride, that, although in competition with the watches of the old and celebrated makers of the Old World, the watches entered by the American Watch Com- pany secured the highest award for accuracy. As an indication of the wonderful precision which has been attained in time-keeping mechanism, it may be said that the three watches which gained the highest award showed a mean daily variation of only .23 of one second ; and an average difference of but .44 of one second between the first and eleventh weeks of the official tests.
The result of this competitive trial, together with the wonderfully attractive exhibition of watches, and the machines employed in their manufacture, was, as might naturally be expected, to bring into more ex- tended and favorable notice the Waltham Company, and to create an increased demand for their goods. It moreover forced from the European watch-makers the unwilling acknowledgment that America had taken the lead, and that evidently the days of watch-making on the old plan were about numbered.
When Mr. Dennison severed bis connection with this company, in 1861, the position of superintendent was assumed by Mr. Albert T. Bacon, who has been mentioned as having early entered the service of the original company in Roxbury. At about the same
With the desire to secure, if possible, a more com- plete identification of interest in the business on the part of the employes, and, at the same time, giving them the opportunity for a profitableinvestment of their ' time Mr. Stratton was sent to London, to serve the accumulated savings, Mr. Robbins made a provision company as its agent for the purchase of supplies. that the employes should be allowed to subscribe for a . He remained there until 1878, when he retired from active life.
Mr. Bacon continued in the position of general superintendent until 1875, having as his assistant during the last two years Mr. Ambrose Webster, who was promoted to that position from his former one o1 master mechanic.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.